How do you get to work? Walk, ride a bike, drive a truck, or take your F/A-18A Hornet jet fighter? Back in 2004, on eBay®, a US Navy Blue Angel jet sold for $32,000,300. Back in 1997, the Hornet cost the first owner — the taxpayer — $28,000,000.

(A salesman:) “This cream puff has 3793 airframe hours. She rocks out at 1400 miles per hour, and climbs 30,000 feet a minute. She came with two zero-hour GE engines and one spare-part engine. She has bomb racks, drop tanks and pylons. Avoid traffic. Commute anywhere. Come in today to see for yourself!”

The eBay® seller actually said, “We’ll paint it any color you like. Assembly is required. We’ll re-assemble it before delivery, for a fee.”

The FBI expressed interest in the eBay® bidding process. How it arrived in private hands was a mystery. Used military aircraft are demilitarized — ejection seats and military insignia are removed, and then it’s off to the bone yard. The Navy reported jets might occasionally be sold to third parties on a case-by-case basis.

It may be very flashy to fly your own Hornet — but $32,000,300 — for a toy? Really? Okay, I’m jealous of not having $32,000,000 of expendable income. What would one do with $32,000,000? Employ a thousand people? Invest? Buy a country? Find a cure for malaria? Give ten percent to charity? Or buy one toy?

Let’s Pray: Righteous God, we thank You for the billionaires and millionaires who use their fortunes to benefit Your people. We pray for all with great means to do the same. Amen.